Support NeoGAF

[Gaborn]

ScienceDaily (Apr. 24, 2012) — Discerning males remain faithful...if you are a spider. Sex for male orb web spiders (Argiope bruennichi) is a two shot affair since the act of mating destroys their genitalia. If they survive being eaten during their first encounter with a female, they have two choices -- to mate again with the same female (monogynous) or try to find a new partner (bigynous). New research published in BioMed Central's open access journal Frontiers in Zoology shows that choice of mating behavior for A. bruennichi depends on the size and age of the first female they mate with.

Monogamous behavior, such as mating for life, is thought to evolve when paternal protection of the female increases fertilization success. For cannibalistic spiders, monogamy means that the life of the male can be very short indeed. However this can improve chances of fatherhood: males of the black widow spider can increase the duration of mating, and hence the likelihood of successful fertilization, by allowing themselves to be eaten.

Monogamous spiders like A. bruennichi have evolved specialized pedipalps, which are used to transfer sperm into a female's reproductive organs. These specialized genitalia are usually damaged during mating, breaking off inside the female, and forming a plug to prevent subsequent fertilization by a different male. Each male can consequently only mate twice in their entire lives, but, if they survive the first encounter (a female will usually eat the male if mating continues too long) they can then chose to either mate with her again or to find a different female to mate with.

Researchers from the Zoological Institute, University of Hamburg, discovered that the mating strategy of A. bruennichi was not random. Males made mating decisions based on females mating status (virgin or already mated) age, weight, availability of other females, and the time of day.

Klaas Welke explained, "Amongst spiders, regardless of age, heavier females are the most fertile. Males were more likely to mate twice with the same female if it was early in the day, she was heavy, and if the nearest other females were sub-adult. Males kept on searching for a second female if it was late in the day and the first female was light. We found that bigynous males preferred to 'trade up' to heavier females as second mates, but ran the risk of attempting to copulate with already mated females."

Two thirds of the monogamous males were eaten after their first mating. These males, which only managed to mate once, tended to mate with the oldest and heaviest females.
Klaas Welke explained, "These females are the ones which have the highest fecundity and which are most ready to lay their eggs. While these males do not have a second chance at mating their probability of reproductive success is high."

Based on paternity of lifetime reproductive success bigyny appeared to be the more successful strategy. Despite this about half of the males were monogamous and half bigynous demonstrating that males alter their behavior to make the best of the situation they find themselves in.

Story Here

 

[Alucrid]

Wow, spiders are assholes all around.

 

[MMaRsu]

Ok so without thread whining, what exactly is the fucking point of this research/study? Well Klaas? Tell us that please.

I find it interesting to read, but what is the purpose of the research?

 

[Gaborn]

Ok so without thread whining, what exactly is the fucking point of this research/study? Well Klaas? Tell us that please.

I find it interesting to read, but what is the purpose of the research?

Understanding animal behavior is inherently useful in itself. Otherwise you might as well ask why people do behavioral research on anything.

 

[apana]

Ok so without thread whining, what exactly is the fucking point of this research/study? Well Klaas? Tell us that please.

I find it interesting to read, but what is the purpose of the research?

In science you often find important discoveries in places you were never expecting them to be, aside from that knowledge is cool.

 

[Subprime]

Ok so without thread whining, what exactly is the fucking point of this research/study? Well Klaas? Tell us that please.

I find it interesting to read, but what is the purpose of the research?

Is learning not a goal in and of itself anymore? People are interested in things, so they want to find out more about them. some people are lucky/talented enough to be paid to do this.

 

[Fenderputty]

Monogamous spiders like A. bruennichi have evolved specialized pedipalps, which are used to transfer sperm into a female's reproductive organs. These specialized genitalia are usually damaged during mating, breaking off inside the female, and forming a plug to prevent subsequent fertilization by a different male

I mean I'm aware of the importance of passing along one's genes, but that's a little much.

 

[Alucrid]

Ok so without thread whining, what exactly is the fucking point of this research/study? Well Klaas? Tell us that please.

I find it interesting to read, but what is the purpose of the research?

Wait until your having sex and the girl starts nibbling on your abdomen, and not in a sexy playing sort of way. Then you'll see the value of this research.

 

[Stinkles]

So THAT'S what they mean by "break one off."

 

[SouthernDragon]

 

[Fenderputty]

This too. As if spiders weren't creepy enough.

 

[Dragoon En Regalia]

Women do have high standards these days, don't they?

 

[DemiMatt]

So THAT'S what they mean by "break one off."

 

[Gaborn]

Amazing picture

 

[jmdajr]

Well that's fucked up. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Auron_Kale]

Interesting. Reminds me of the male angler fish's relationship with the female in a way.

Granted though, I think the spider has it rougher than the angler fish.

 

[Despera]

Interesting. Reminds me of the male angler fish's relationship with the female in a way.

Granted though, I think the spider has it rougher than the angler fish.

I seriously doubt that.

 

[Rentahamster]

the act of mating destroys their genitalia

ohgodwhy

 

[Auron_Kale]

I seriously doubt that.

Either have your stuff broken off and are eaten by the female, though you could possibly live to mate again if lucky. Or, you basically get absorbed into the female as basically 'living' sperm donor.

You're screwed either way, but the zombie thing is kinda cooler.

 

[erpg]

Well, bee drones explode after orgasm, so it can always be worse.

Also, think of pedipalps as hands that shove sperm in, not a penis. It'll make the story somewhat easier to stomach.

 

[JiuJitsuka]

"breaking off inside the female, and forming a plug to prevent subsequent fertilization by a different male."

What's the problem if it were fertilized by another male ?

P.S. Thanks for the thread !

 

[erpg]

"breaking off inside the female, and forming a plug to prevent subsequent fertilization by a different male."

What's the problem if it were fertilized by another male ?

P.S. Thanks for the thread !

Well, then they wouldn't be passing on their genes. A lot of animals have some sort of mechanism to ensure paternity. Mosquitos essentially glue the vagina shut, rodents try to do the same (copulatory plugs). Lions, moose, etc. defend the female for a few days.

 

[RevDM]

I've read that when the female spider eats the male spider, it provides important nutrition for the gestation of offspring.

 

[FantasticMrFoxdie]

Fuuuuu


Stealth Kim Kardashian thread?

 

[JiuJitsuka]

Well, then they wouldn't be passing on their genes. A lot of animals have some sort of mechanism to ensure paternity. Mosquitos essentially glue the vagina shut, rodents try to do the same (copulatory plugs). Lions, moose, etc. defend the female for a few days.

It seems to be a common observation but I couldn't figure out the reasoning or logic behind it ): o

 

[jmdajr]

Just looked up the mating ritual of the Angler fish.

DAMN

 

[ChuyMasta]

Masturbating for life?

 

[TheJollyCorner]

Masturbating for life?

If I were a spider?

 

[Auron_Kale]

Just looked up the mating ritual of the Angler fish.

DAMN

Basically this: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/angler

 

[GungHo]

Masturbating for life?

Shit, if you have eight hands, that's enough for one "girlfriend" every night a week and a nooner on Friday.

 

[jasonng]

Two thirds of the monogamous males were eaten after their first mating. These males, which only managed to mate once, tended to mate with the oldest and heaviest females.
Klaas Welke explained, "These females are the ones which have the highest fecundity and which are most ready to lay their eggs. While these males do not have a second chance at mating their probability of reproductive success is high."

Chubby chasers.